History Of Kenya

After World War One, Britain reluctantly took over Tanzania's government and had power over the east side of Africa. At that time period, many British men were seeking a better life so they migrated to Kenya. In the 1920s the country changed from the East African Protectorate to a colony, and the white British took over all the fertile highlands, leaving the rest of the country to the Africans.

In 1921 the Kenya African Union wanted their land back. From October 1952 to December 1959 Kenya was in trouble because of the Mau Mau rebellion against the British. When African's joined the political process the move towards independence became stronger. Jomo Kenyatta, a member of the large Kikuyu tribe, and a former prisoner during the Mau Mau emergency, formed a temporary government shortly before Kenya became independent on December 12th, 1963.

Now a free country, Kenya changed their flag from one which looked very similar to the British Union Jack with a Lion on the middle, to a green red and black striped flag with two spears crossed under a oval shield. A year later, Kenyatta became Kenya's first president.